The Battle Between Food Trucks And Restaurants

The food truck phenomenon that is sweeping across the United States might seem like a one hundred percent positive movement, but to a small group of business owners these new culinary delights are causing problems. Small business owners who operate permanent restaurant locations are concerned that the increase in the number of food truck permits being handed out in many cities and towns is begging to affect their business.

The main concern among restaurant owners is whether or not they can compete with new food trucks that are offering gourmet meal selections at a lower price than a permanent location can offer because of the lower overhead that comes with operating a food truck. Some of the ways that food trucks save money over brick and mortar locations are no property taxes, food truck owners do not pay rent once they have paid off their trucks, and many food trucks employ only part time employees so they do not provide extensive benefit packages. These factors all make the restaurant owners argument valid.

On the other hand, food truck operators are limited in the experience they can offer. Food trucks appeal only to people who are looking to grab a bite to eat on the go. They cannot offer a full dining experience to their customers, and often times their menus are limited. While food trucks do affect small quick bite restaurants near where they are parked, most food truck operators would argue that they are no more competition than another permanent restaurant moving into the neighborhood.

As the argument over whether food trucks are good for cities or not heats up many people are weighing in and trying to create an environment where the two can peacefully coexist. Most cities have a permit and regulatory board dedicated to dealing with food truck business owners. Some cities have created guidelines for food truck operators to help create an even playing field for food trucks and local permanent restaurants. In most cities they are limiting the number of permits issued to food truck owners and requiring them to apply for specific areas to sell their goods. For instance, in most cities, a food truck that sells pizza will not be given a permit to park on the street outside a permanent restaurant that also sells pizza. Another way that cities are helping foster the food truck business while keeping their local restaurant owners happy is by approaching property owners who are not utilizing empty parking lots and asking them to create food truck food courts. Many urban areas have areas of town where commerce and restaurant choices are scarce. The people living in these areas often welcome food truck businesses and the culinary choices they bring.

If you are starting a food truck business and do not want to worry about the problems that come along with trying to get a permit to sell food out of your truck on a busy city block, search for alternatives like playgrounds, office parks, or locations where food choices are limited. You will be much more likely to get a permit to set up near one of these locations.

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